GAO: Navy two years late fitting hypersonic CPS to Zumwalt; first at-sea test slips to 2027

Lockheed Martin/Conventional Prompt Strike

A Government Accountability Office report found the Navy two years behind schedule adding Conventional Prompt Strike to the three Zumwalt destroyers. Zumwalt was due back in service by September 2026 with four launch tubes but no missiles, because the weapon is still in testing, and the first at-sea flight test moved from 2025 to 2027.

• Each Zumwalt carries 4 tubes of 3 missiles: 12 in total.
• Lockheed can build 6 or 7 missiles a year against a planned 12.
• Program cost rose from $31B for 262 missiles (2020) to $41B for 224.
• Refit cost for three ships rose from $1.8B to at least $2B.